This latest development adds another complicated layer to the
ongoing Syrian conflict, in which the key players have
varying regional interests and priorities.

Citi Research's chief global political analyst, Tina Fordham, put
together a brief cheat sheet
listing the key players in the Syria conflict and some of
their motivations.

Notably, this chart is missing some non-state actors, including
members of the Syrian opposition who are fighting to remove
President Bashar Assad. Many of those groups are
given funding and weapons by the CIA, Saudi Arabia, and
Turkey.